Richmond upon Thames

Richmond upon Thames' population expanded in the 10 years leading up to 2011. At the same time there were changes in ethnicity, health and housing tenure.

The population reached nearly 190,000

In the decade to 2011, the population of Richmond upon Thames increased by 8.5%, from about 172,000 to 187,000.

The addition of almost 15,000 people means this area's population increased at a similar rate to the overall population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Richmond upon Thames was home to, on average, 23 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was lower than the average across London

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across London, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Richmond upon Thames

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Richmond upon Thames increased by one year, from 37 to 38 years.

This affluent suburban area had a higher average age than London and became slightly younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of about 5,500 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years, while the population between 20 and 29 years decreased by about 900.

About 16% of people in Richmond upon Thames are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Richmond upon Thames by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Richmond upon Thames

The number of people in Richmond upon Thames from the White ethnic groups remained close to 160,000 between the last two seasons. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 91% to 86%.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across London (from 71% to 60%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Richmond upon Thames from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just under 8,000 in 2001 to just under 14,000 in 2011 (from 4.6% to 7.3%). The number of residents from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from about 3,800 to just under 6,800 (from 2.2% to 3.6%).

Just under 3,100 people (1.3%) said they were from the Other ethnic groups (Arab or any other ethnic group), up from just under 2,200 in 2001 (1.6%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Richmond upon Thames decreased by 5 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Richmond upon Thames by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of people in ’good’ or ’very good’ health increased in Richmond upon Thames, but at a slower rate than all other London boroughs, except Kensington and Chelsea and Harrow.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

Every local authority area across London saw a rise in the proportion of residents that perceived their health as good or very good, as the regional average grew from 71% to 84%.

In 2011, just under 9 in 10 (88%) in Richmond upon Thames said their health was good or very good, compared with 76% in 2001. The percentage that perceived their health as bad or very bad decreased from 5.9% to 3.2%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’good’ or ’very good’ health was higher than across London

Percentage of usual residents that that said their health was good or very good across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Richmond upon Thames that rented privately increased from 17% to 22% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

In 2011, just over one in eight (13%) households lived in social housing, compared with 12% in 2001. The percentage of Richmond upon Thames households that owner their home decreased from 69% to 64%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a slower rate here than the figure for the whole of London (from 15% in 2001 to 25% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Richmond upon Thames increased by 5.1 percentage points

Percentage of households in Richmond upon Thames, London and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Richmond upon Thames

The number of people in Richmond upon Thames that described themselves as Muslim increased from about 3,900 in 2001 to about 6,100 in 2011. This represents a change from 2.3% to 3.3% of the local population.

The percentage increased by less than the average across London (from 8.5% to 12%) and the average across England (from 3.2% to 5.2%).

The number of people in Richmond upon Thames that described themselves as Christian decreased from just over 110,000 in 2001 to about 100,000 in 2011 (from 66% to 55%). The number of people who described themselves as having no religion increased from about 34,000 to just over 53,000 (from 20% to 28%).

Just under 16,000 people (8.3%) did not state their religion, up from about 14,000 in 2001 (8.5%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population who identified as Muslim in Richmond upon Thames remained close to 3.3%

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Richmond upon Thames by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

↑ Back to the top

Area report data

Related links